Car Review: Plymouth PT Cruiser

something new

Every so often, a car manufacturer needs to do something to pump some life back into the company, something to get people talking about them again. Sometimes this involves a radical new breakthrough technology or features and performance that exceed current levels. Or simply a wild new look.

Volkswagen did it with the new Beetle, Honda has created quite a buzz with its techno-marvel S2000 (as well as some engines that practically run on water) and now it's time for people to talk about Plymouth again.

Not too long ago, they introduced the Prowler, a beautiful roadster that looks like nothing else on the road. In keeping with their retro theme, they have now taken the automotive world by storm with the PT Cruiser.

head of the class

The Cruiser is hard to define; it's literally in a class of its own. It's not really a station wagon, nor is it an SUV. It's not a van, and it's not quite a sedan. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration classifies it as a light truck, but the Environmental Protection Agency calls it a car.

In any case, whatever this thing may be, it's a head-turner. Just try to drive this thing around town without drawing attention. Park it at the mall and you're guaranteed to return to a small crowd around the Cruiser. At first it's fun, but eventually it gets old. How long can the owner keep answering questions that gawking strangers ask without getting annoyed?

We all know its looks are like no other vehicle on the planet. Unless you plan on keeping it on display, the car needs to perform a function as well. Does the Cruiser match up?

not a hot-rod

Although it looks like a fire breathing hot-rod, it is far from it. Using the same 2.4-liter engine found throughout the Chrysler line-up, the Cruiser spits out 150 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 162 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The 3100-pound Cruiser yawns you to 60 MPH in almost 9 seconds, and add an eternal second for those models handicapped, I mean equipped, with an automatic transmission. The mile comes in 16.7 seconds at 82 MPH, and top speed is 112 MPH.

Inside, Chrysler engineers have done a remarkable job. It's evident that all efforts were not focused on the exterior appearance. The Cruiser does not act like a vehicle its size; it thinks it's much bigger, at least on the inside. It all starts with the vehicle's height, which leads to ample space for all.